Azalea plant named &#39;MNIHAR013&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Azalea plant with spring and fall blooming, attractive, showy, single orange-red flowers, easily propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through summer, moderate growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions; broadly-rounded and freely-branching in habit, grows well in containers, thrives in shade or sun and is hardy in Zone 6, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Rhododendron sp.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘MNIHAR013’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention is a new and distinct variety of evergreen Azaleaof the genus Rhododendron. This new Azalea, hereinafter referred to as‘MNIHAR013’, was discovered in 2003 in Lawrenceville, Ga. ‘MNIHAR013’originated from a planned cross hybridization between the female azaleaplant ‘Conleb’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,581) and the male azalea plant‘September Morn’ (unpatented) in a controlled environment inLawrenceville, Ga. The instant plant has attractive, showy, orange-redflowers, a broadly-rounded, airy growth habit, and cold hardiness.

The new variety was first propagated via semi-hardwood cuttings in 2003in Dearing, Ga. and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly bysemi-hardwood cuttings in Dearing, Ga. for over seven years. ‘MNIHAR013’has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics throughsuccessive asexual propagations via semi-hardwood cuttings.

‘MNIHAR011’ has not been made publicly available or sold more than oneyear prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Dearing, Ga.

-   -   1. Spring and fall blooming;    -   2. Attractive, showy, orange-red flowers;    -   3. Numerous single flowers;    -   4. Easily propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring        through summer;    -   5. Moderate growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture        conditions;    -   6. Broadly-rounded, airy in nature;    -   7. Grows well in containers;    -   8. Thrives in shade or sun; and    -   9. Hardy in Zone 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Azalea hybrid variety is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show buds, flowers, immature foliage and maturefoliage. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic means. The photographs are of 6-year-oldplants grown in filtered shade in 2008 and 2009 in Dearing, Ga.

FIG. 1 is a close-up showing stems, mature foliage, and flowers.

FIG. 2 shows the growth habit of a whole plant that is six years old.

FIG. 3 is a close-up showing flower buds and some immature foliage.

FIG. 4 is a close-up showing flower size, form, and color.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of ‘MNIHAR013’ based onobservations made of 4-year-old plants grown in three-gallon containersaccording to wholesale commercial production conditions, under full-sun,and in an evaluation bed under semi-shade conditions in Dearing, Ga. inthe winter, spring, summer, and fall seasons of 2009. The colors of thevarious plant parts are detailed with reference to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (2001).

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Ericaceae.        -   Species.—Rhododendron sp.        -   Common name.—Azalea.        -   Commercial name.—‘MNIHAR013’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The azalea plant ‘Conleb’ (U.S. Plant Pat.            No. 10,581).        -   Male parent.—The azalea plant ‘September Morn’ (unpatented).-   Growth:    -   -   Form.—Broadly-rounded, airy in nature.        -   Texture.—Medium.        -   Height.—91.44 cm to 121.92 cm.        -   Width.—121.92 cm to 152.4 cm.        -   Growth habit.—Broadly-rounded and freely-branching.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate growth rate under normal fertilization            and moisture conditions. In a period of six years from a            rooted cutting the plant reaches a height of 76.2 cm and a            spread of 106.68 cm. The growth rate is normally averages            about 12 cm per year; the plant reaches a height of 91.44 cm            to 121.92 cm at maturity while maintaining a dense habit due            to the abundant branch development.        -   Spring growth.—The date of initial spring growth is March            15, followed by continuous growth through fall.        -   Life cycle.—Perennial and evergreen.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple, pubescent, and evergreen.        -   Shape.—Elliptic to broadly elliptic.        -   Apex.—Mucronate.        -   Base.—Acute to acuminate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Length.—2.6 cm.        -   Width.—1.3 cm.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate Mid-veins and laterals: Upper            surface: Impressed Lower surface: Prominent.        -   Immature leaf.—Upper surface: Color: Matte RHS 144A            (Yellow-green) with RHS 59A (Red-purple) along margin            Pubescence: Villous mainly along the margin and midvein            Pubescence color: RHS N159D (Orange-white) to RHS 159A            (Orange-white) Lower surface: Color: Matte RHS 146C            (Yellow-green) Pubescence: Villous to strigose along margin            and midvein Pubescence color: RHS N155A (White) to RHS 159A            (Orange-white).        -   Mature leaf.—Upper surface: Color: Matte RHS 139A (Green)            Pubescence: Strigose Pubescence length: 0.1 cm Pubescence            color: RHS 166D (Greyed-orange) Lower surface: Color: Matte            RHS 146A (Yellow-green) Pubescence: Strigose concentrated            around mid-vein Pubescence length: 0.1 cm Pubescence color:            RHS 166D (Greyed-orange).        -   Petiole.—Length: 0.5 cm Diameter: 0.125 cm×0.1 cm. The            petiol is not perfectly round and is a bit flattened. Color:            Immature: RHS 145B (Yellow-green) Mature: RHS 146C            (Yellow-green) Pubescence: Strigose Pubescence length: 0.015            cm Pubescence color: Immature: RHS N159D (Orange-white)            Mature: RHS 166B (Greyed-orange).-   Stems:    -   -   Form.—Densely branched at buds.        -   Young stems (1 year old and younger).—Color: RHS 144B            (Yellow-green) Pubescence: Strigose Pubescence color: RHS            N155A (White) to RHS 167C (Greyed-orange).        -   Second-year stems.—Color: RHS 156A (Greyed-orange) and RHS            201A (Grey) Pubescence: Strigose Pubescence color: RHS 165A            (Greyed-orange) Length: 12.0 cm with occasional stems            reaching 16.0 cm in length Diameter: 0.4 cm Pith: Solid and            uniform Internode length: Average 2.25 cm.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Arrangement and form.—Tight; persistent; borne in groups of            one or two sheathed by a pair of modified leaf bracts            Length: 1.9 cm Width: 0.9 cm Color: Apex: RHS 143C (Green)            Base: RHS 145B (Yellow-green).        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Length (at tight bud).—2.0 cm.        -   Diameter (at tight bud).—0.7 cm.        -   Color (of scales).—Immature: RHS 145C (Yellow-green) Mature:            RHS 145B (Yellow-green).        -   Texture.—Pubescent; tomentose to villous pubescence            Pubescence color: RHS 167B (Grey-orange).        -   Pedicel.—Length: 1.0 cm Diameter: 0.125 cm Texture:            Tomentose pubescence Pubescence color: RHS N155A (White)            Color: RHS 44D (Red).        -   Calyx.—Form and arrangement: Composed of 5 sepals in a            cup-shape Length: 0.4 cm Width: 0.4 cm Color: RHS 144D            (Yellow-green) Pubescence: Tomentose Pubescence color: RHS            N155A (White) Sepals: Shape: Broadly elliptical Apex:            Cuspidate to obtuse Base: Fused; joined at base to form a            cup Margin: Entire with some lobulate Color: Upper surface:            RHS 144C (Yellow-green) Lower surface: RHS 143B (Green)            Length: 0.5 cm Width: 0.25 cm.-   Flowers:    -   -   Type.—Perfect, single flowers.        -   Shape.—Open funnel-shaped.        -   Flowering habit and period.—Borne on the current season's            growth; 2 to 3 weeks beginning in mid March in Dearing, Ga.;            flowering resumes in Late August and continues until frost            which can be as late as November or December.        -   Lastingness of flowers on the plant.—4 to 7 days in the sun;            6 to 9 days in the shade.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Diameter.—5.4 cm.        -   Depth.—2.8 cm.        -   Petals.—Quantity per flower and arrangement: 5 imbricate            petals that are fused at the base and remain fused up to 1.3            cm from the base and 2.3 cm from the base for the three            petals with spots Shape: Obovate Apex: Rounded Base: Fused            Margin: Entire and wavy Texture (both upper and lower            surfaces): Glabrous Length: 4.0 cm Width: 2.1 cm Color:            Upper surfaces: RHS N34C (Orange-red) Lower surfaces: RHS            44D (Red) to N34A (Orange-red); with spots, the upper            surface of the spots are RHS N34A (Orange-red) and lower            surface of spots are not visible.-   Reproductive parts:    -   -   Pistil.—Quantity and form: Single, non-petaloid Length: 4.5            cm Diameter: 0.05 cm Stigma: Color: RHS 46D (Red) Diameter:            0.075 cm Style color: RHS 54B (Red) Ovary: Pubescent,            tomentose with 5 locules Pubescence color: RHS N155A            (White).        -   Stamens.—Number: 7 to 10 per flower Length: 3.7 cm Color:            RHS 54B (Red) Anther: Length: 0.2 cm Width: 0.1 cm Color:            RHS 178D (Greyed-red) Pollen: Abundant Pollen color: RHS            155B (White).-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity.—The capsule matures in about 6 months in Dearing,            Ga. and the fruit set is low and contains about 100 to 300            non-winged seeds.        -   Length.—1.5 cm.        -   Width.—0.9 cm.        -   Color.—RHS 146A (Yellow-green).

CULTURE

‘MNIHAR013’ grows well in a wide range of conditions and tolerates sunto shade. ‘MNIHAR013’ prefers moist, well-drained soil that is rich inorganic matter and responds well to mulching and medium applications offertilizer. ‘MNIHAR013’ does best in soil with a pH of 5.0 to 5.5 and ispropagated with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through thesummer. Azaleas root in five to six weeks with a high percentage ofrooting (80% plus). Tissue culture is also an effective means ofpropagation for azaleas.

DISEASES AND INSECTS

Lace bugs, root weevils, and spider mites can be a problem. Fungal andbacterial pathogens have not been observed, but no resistance testinghas been performed and no claim to abnormal resistance to pathogens canbe made.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

In Table 1, ‘MNIHAR013’ is compared to parental varieties ‘Conleb’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 10,581) and ‘September Morn’ (unpatented) and lists thedifferences between the varieties.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘MNIHAR013’ ‘Conleb’ ‘September Morn’ PlantHeight 91.44 cm to 121.92 cm 121.92 cm to 152.4 cm 76.2 cm (Mature)Flower Diameter 5.4 cm 6.5 cm 5 cm to 6 cm Flower Form Single Single tosemi-double Single Flower Color Orange-red Red Red Bloom PeriodLate-March to April and late July Early April and April and August untilfrost September until frost until frost Hardy Zone 6 7 5 Stamen Number 7to 10 0 to 9 5 Stamen Type Non-petaloid Petaloid and Non-petaloidnon-petaloid

When ‘MNIHAR013’ is compared to the commercial variety ‘Roblen’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 16,248), ‘MNIHAR013’ has faster, broader, and more opengrowth habit then ‘Roblen’ (i.e., ‘MNIHAR013’ has a height of 76.2 cmand spread of 106.68 cm in six years, whereas ‘Roblen’ has a height of91.44 cm and a spread of 60.96 cm in six years). Additionally,‘MNIHAR013’ produces orange-red flowers, while ‘Roblen’ has bright redflowers.

I claim:
 1. A new variety of Azalea plant named ‘MNIHAR013’ as hereinshown and described.